Abstract: A data storage device including: a plastic substrate having a plurality of volumes arranged in tracks along a plurality of vertically stacked, laterally extending layers therein; and, a plurality of micro-holograms each contained in a corresponding one of the volumes; herein, the presence or absence of a micro-hologram in each of the volumes is indicative of a corresponding portion of data stored.

Abstract: A system for detecting temperature of a cooking utensil over a radiant cooktop includes a cooktop having an upper surface and a lower surface and a radiant heating element adapted to heat the cooktop. A temperature detector is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the cooktop and is adapted to detect temperature of the lower surface of the cooktop. The system also includes a thermal insulation barrier disposed intermediate the temperature detector and the radiant heating element.

Abstract: There is provided a machining tool for machining a workpiece on a workpiece support in response to control signals. The machining tool includes a cutting tool configured to cut a surface of the workpiece. The machining tool also includes a first displacement mechanism and a second displacement mechanism. The first displacement mechanism arranged to displace the cutting tool relative to the workpiece in a first set of coordinates in response to the control signals. The second displacement mechanism supported by the first translation mechanism and arranged to displace the cutting tool relative to the workpiece in a second set of coordinates, the second displacement mechanism capable of a higher frequency response than the first displacement mechanism. The machining tool also includes a controller configured to receive the control signals and synchronize the displacement of the cutting tool due to the first displacement mechanism with the displacement of the cutting tool due to the second displacement mechanism.

Abstract: A method for determining rotor blade deflection, wherein a rotor blade is coupled to a hub, includes coupling a first end of a beam to the rotor blade, positioning a second end of the beam adjacent the hub, measuring the deflection of the beam using at least one sensor, and determining the deflection of the blade based on the deflection of the beam.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power controller for an AC load comprises: a user interface adapted to interact with a user to produce at least one user interface signal; and a control module adapted to electrically couple a line voltage supply, electrically couple the AC load, and provide electrical power to the AC load as a function of the at least one user interface signal by implementing a low-flicker, cycle-skipping control algorithm, the control algorithm comprising a plurality of cycle patterns, the cycle patterns comprising a plurality of main power levels.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting the temperature of a burner for a cooking appliance without the use of a temperature sensor. The method includes the step of sensing the conduction state of a thermal switch and feeding back the sensed signal to control the duty-cycle (and thus “on” time) of bang-bang thermal limiting control. The power to the burner is reduced until the sensed duty-cycle (near 100%) cycling is reduced (lower frequency and amplitude) resulting in smoother power and temperature control. Preferably, the control system and method is implemented for controlling power applied to a burner for a glass-ceramic cooktop.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting the temperature of a burner for a cooking appliance without the use of a temperature sensor. The method includes the step of sensing the conduction state of a thermal switch and feeding back the sensed signal to control the duty-cycle (and thus “on” time) of bang-bang thermal limiting control. The power to the burner is reduced until the sensed duty-cycle (near 100%) cycling is reduced (lower frequency and amplitude) resulting in smoother power and temperature control. Preferably, the control system and method is implemented for controlling power applied to a burner for a glass-ceramic cooktop.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power controller for an AC load comprises: a user interface adapted to interact with a user to produce at least one user interface signal; and a control module adapted to electrically couple a line voltage supply, electrically couple the AC load, and provide electrical power to the AC load as a function of the at least one user interface signal by implementing a low-flicker, cycle-skipping control algorithm, the control algorithm comprising a plurality of cycle patterns, the cycle patterns comprising a plurality of main power levels.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting movement of a vessel positioned on a cooktop surface. The apparatus includes a resonant circuit that has at least an inductive loop positioned proximate to the cooktop surface. A signal conditioner is connected to the resonant circuit for conditioning signals received from the resonant circuit. A processor is connected to the signal conditioner and compares the conditioned signals received from the signal conditioner to a reference signal whereby detecting movement of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing properties of glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The sensor assembly includes a waveguide having a first end disposed in the burner assembly and a second end disposed outside of the burner assembly, and at least one detector located adjacent to the waveguide's second end. A radiation collector is located adjacent to the first end of the waveguide so as to direct incident radiation substantially paraxially into the waveguide. The method includes collecting radiation from the glass-ceramic plate, and directing the collected radiation onto a detector located outside of the burner assembly via a waveguide.